Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-14
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
Annual Report OF Commissioners
Sparks

Commissioner Sparks, OF the General Land once,
has submitted to the Secretary Of the Interior his
annual report for the fiscal year ended June 30
lSS7. He says he has no word to recall that has
hitherto peen uttered touching the aggravated
Interpretations to which public lands have
been subjected Through improyident laws and In.
enicient methods OF administration, and to which
they are stu exposed under present wastefui and
fraud-inspirfng systems OF disposal ''The opera
lions" continues the report ''of the past year. as
previously, have been conducted under the dis.
couragement OF inadequate appropriations; bu,
with the limited means at my disposal results have
Deen acnleved mat confirm the early statements
lines only OF which have yet been fairly explored
Dunng the year the total number OF acres OF
iand res.oreo 70 the pubic domain was 81 s24, 4sl
ana " railroad lands recommended for recovery,
and Win cases pending, there are ,499 400 acres
Inc sales, entries and selections OF public land
embrace %, Ill 400 "a acres and OF Indian LANDS
~. ~ ceres making total OF 81, S5s OBS IL
1eS 1eiag an liner ase over the year 1856
acres US compared with the fiscal year 1855
Inc receipts rom the disposais OF public lands are
LUaoaSSLE2; from sales OF Indian lands, 81 asa.
303O-a total OF ST.. 28S 224 o. being an increase
as compared with the year 1855 or S3247 III. on
ana an Increase OF s. 64S CPS 20 as Compared with
ste nscai year 1888 to which is TO he added s. 29l
Ieceiveu on account OF timber depredations and
3l2 49aS5 received for cerlined copies OF records
iurhisned Dy the General Land ONCE making the
~ non 1923 for the year from all sources
INCREASED SALARIES REcoMNENDEp.
Tne salary OF the assistant commissioner is esti.
mated at $500, and the increase is recommended
The Commissioners also recommends an fncre. sc
OF $50 per year In the salary OF the chief clerk
anu ne mend9 that the nine chiefs divisions
paid them.
he also asks for an addition or twenty special
examiners aI 5000 per year each. he estimates
!or lot the protection OF public land from
unlawiui ana fraudulent appropriation during the
year; SiOOOOO TO prevent tIespasses upon the
.ln1er lands; Tor contingent expenses " local
. .anu ol.cess $2l7,S2G45; for special examina-
spectof; Tor surveys and resurveys, $500, 600.
Inc commissioner ienews his recommendation
tnat INT Zee system be abolished, and that the
compensation OF registers and receivers DC liked vi
annual salaries.
ADDITIONAL CLERICAL FORCE NEEDED.
careful computation Of the additional clerical
lorce actuall, needed to bring up work In arrears
ana TO keep up with the increasing current bust
ness OF the once calls for I59 regular and ll2 tenn
pOrary clerks The present total force OF the Office
37, and the estimate Tor the next fiscal year II
426, an increase OF ~ permanent clerks and EN-.
plOyeS This force Is estimated to be necessary u
keep the work goiny. The enlarged force estimated
Tor Is needed TO bring up work IN arrears.
The report concludes as follows: "There has
Deen no period since 1870 or earlier when the cltr
Teal force OF the General Land once equal OF
Dearly equal 10 the work before it. The time has
come Wnen IL Is absolutely essential I'D. more
adequate provision be made. 1t Is my duty u rep.
resent tru hfully TO Congress the need, OF the
once, aud w iedve with that body the RESPONSE.
blty or providing or retuain. the necessary meals
10 carry on this Important branch OF the public